Football: Inside the Rankings, Week 0

Like yesterday’s Top Performers blog, our Tuesday regular feature, Inside the Rankings, returns. We give you some explanation as to why your favorite team is ranked with the goal of reducing the amount of angry e-mails in our inboxes. Enjoy!

Class 5A

Steele marches on as our No. 1 team. Photo: Kin Man Hui/Express-News

1. Steele (1-0)
Last ranking: No. 1
Last game: Defeated No. 2 Madison 41-21
The reason: A No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup to open the season makes things pretty simple. If only that could be the case the entire season…
Up next: vs. Judson

2. Smithson Valley (1-0)
Last ranking: No. 3
Last game: Defeated No. 4 Brandeis 41-7
The reason: The Rangers reintroduction to 5A went better than anyone expected. They figure to be a force this season.
Up next: at Laredo United

3. Madison (0-1)
Last ranking: No. 2
Last game: Lost to No. 1 Steele 41-21
The reason: The Mavs are better than they looked at times against Steele. If only we could have a playoff re-match…
Up next: vs. sub-5A No. 3 Kerrville Tivy

4. East Central (1-0)
Last ranking: No. 5
Last game: Defeated Jay 31-10
The reason: A solid if not shaky-at-times win over a scrappy Jay team combined with Brandeis’ struggles put the Hornets into the Top 4.
Up next: vs. Marshall

5. Reagan (1-0)
Last ranking: No. 6
Last game: Defeated Wagner 20-13
The reason: The final score was deceiving in a game that Reagan dominated all around. As new QB Kyle Keller gets settled, expect big things from the Rattlers.
Next up: at No. 6 O’Connor

7. Warren (1-0)
Last ranking: No. 10
Last game: Defeated MacArthur 29-0
The reason: The Warriors patented spread offense looked plenty strong, but their defense could be what sets them apart in 2012.
Up next: vs. No. 10 Churchill

8. Johnson (1-0)
Last ranking: Not ranked
Last game: Defeated Harlingen 36-0
The reason: The odds were against the Jags last week in almost every way: a bunch of new starters, playing a long way from home for the first time and, most importantly, in front of a packed Harlingen crowd that has just a bit of a chip on its shoulder when it comes to San Antonio teams. Johnson responded by allowing 47 total yards. Welcome to the Top 10, Jags.
Up next: vs. No. 9 Brandeis

9. Brandeis (0-1)
Last ranking: No. 4
Last game: Lost to No. 2 Smithson Valley 41-7
The reason: The Broncos hang on to a Top 10 spot for a couple of reason. For one, Smithson Valley is very good. Secondly, half of Brandeis’ team got injure (OK, an exaggeration, but it was still pretty bad). Here’s hoping the Broncos get healthy in a hurry.
Up next: at No. 8 Johnson

10. Churchill (1-0)
Last ranking: Not ranked
Last game: Defeated Clark 36-29
The reason: An entertaining Gucci Bowl win is a good way to start the year. It’s even better considering Dimitri Flowers, Nate Pearson and co. appear to have a ton of potential.
Up next: at No. 7 Warren

Dropped out: Judson, New Braunfels

Sub-5A

1. Brennan (1-0)
Last ranking: No. 1
Last game: Defeated Holmes 34-13
The reason: The Bears have grown up a lot in just over two years. The latest sign: setting a school record for passing yards last week.
Up next: vs. Taft

Kyle Poeske and Champion had a heck of a week. Photo: Tom Reel/Express-News

2. Boerne Champion (1-0)
Last ranking: No. 3
Last game: Defeated 5A No. 9 New Braunfels 44-34
The reason: The Chargers absolutely shredded the Unicorns D. Imagine what they’ll do against teams in their own classification.
Up next: at Dripping Springs

3. Kerrville Tivy (1-0)
Last ranking: No. 2
Last game: Defeated Del Rio 41-14
The reason: A strong performance in coach David Jones’ debut was overshadowed slightly by Champion’s win. The Antlers could get back to No. 2–or No. 1–with an upset this week.
Up next: at 5A No. 3 Madison

4. Alamo Heights (0-1)
Last ranking: No. 4
Last game: Lost to 5A No. 7 O’Connor 20-7
The reason: There’s a lot to figure out offensively for the Mules. They just hope they can do it before a brutal district stretch begins.
Up next: at Clark

5. Brackenridge (1-0)
Last ranking: No. 6
Last game: Defeated Sam Houston 33-6
The reason: A big win over their rivals proved one big thing: the Eagles have a ton of athletes. Can they overtake Brennan down the line?
Up next: at Floresville

6. Medina Valley (1-0)
Last ranking: No. 7
Last game: Defeated La Vernia 40-13
The reason: The Panthers appear to have their groove back with a dominating win over a quality 3A team.
Up next: at Boerne

7. McCollum (1-0)
Last ranking: No. 5
Last game: Defeated Jefferson 22-21
The reason: The Cowboys fall a bit after nearly being upset by Jefferson. The positive takeaway: new QB Jared Tejeda looked mighty solid.
Up next: at South San

8. Antonian (1-0)
Last ranking: No. 8
Last game: Defeated Navarro 35-21
The reason: A strong opening week was made even sweeter for the Apaches when Central Catholic loss. This week, they’ll try to avoid falling to Holy Cross themselves.
Up next: at No. 10 Holy Cross

9. Devine (1-0)
Last ranking: No. 10
Last game: Defeated Southside 45-6
The reason: There may be no more Sadler-mania in Devine, but the Warhorses looked just fine last week. Oh, and Jordan Fraga, Sadler’s replacement, would have made the Gingerbread Man proud with his 202 rushing yards and two total TDs.
Up next: at Bandera

10. Holy Cross(1-0)
Last ranking: Not ranked
Last game: Defeated No. 9 Central Catholic 37-32
The reason: A nail-biting first win over their rivals is one heck of a way to open the season–and to honor assistant coach Chris Medina, who died suddenly last week.
Up next: vs. No. 8 Antonian